What if our Chess Challenge date is scheduled on an unsuitable day?

All schools will be provided with 3 possible dates/times. Chess Kids will do everything they can to accommodate the needs of each school - but remember, they're giving freely of their time and it is subject to availability.

When is the money we raise due back?

You will be given the account details for Kids Off The Kerb and encouraged to make a direct deposit by Electronic Funds Transfer. All money collected is due back to KOTK no later than 7 days after your Challenge.

We have more than 20 players who want to Challenge the Master!

Unfortunately we are strictly limited to 20 players per school who can play against the Master Coach. If your school would like to book the Coach to come back either for another Challenge, more lessons or even to organise and coach a regular chess club Chess Kids will be happy to arrange that with you. Please speak to Chess Kids directly.

What if a child beats the Master?

See the Prizes section of this website. We expect no more than 100 of the 5000 players taking part to win a game!

What if it is a draw?

See the Prizes section of this website. We expect no more than 100 of the 5000 players taking part to draw their game!

What if time runs out and a game is still going?

The Chess Kids Master Coach will make every effort to complete all games within the 45-60 minute time frame available. In the (very) rare case that a game is still going after 60 minutes the result of the game will be determined fairly and objectively by the Coach. You may dispute the decision of the coach by taking a digital photo of the final position (the picture must be clear and include the face of the Coach) and emailing it to disputes@chesskids.com.au. A decision and justification will be given. No further appeals may be made after this.

Any fine print?

The rules of this challenge may change at any time and without warning. If circumstances occur beyond our control Chess Challenge, Kids Off The Kerb and Chess Kids are in no way obligated to provide the rewards or prizes on offer. Nor are we obligated to provide a Chess Challenge day. Having made that disclaimer there is also no way that your school will ever be liable for any cost in relation to this program. The short story: there are all the best intentions on both sides, but no risk or liability in case things go wrong. :)

Kids Off The Kerb

Kids Off The Kerb Ltd ACN 127 220 142 (KOTK) is a charity established to directly assist disadvantaged and at risk children and young people by providing them with practical support and by creating worthwhile activities and enterprises so that they can achieve a sense of worth, purpose and belonging. www.kidsoffthekerb.com

How much of the money raised goes to Kids Off The Kerb?

Every penny. All marketing, web-development, coaching and time is being donated freely. THANK YOU to our sponsors!

My question isn't here?

Contact us any time and we'll do our best to help you. :)

When will the Chess Challenge take place?

You will have up to 4 months to prepare for your Challenge. Generally the Challenge takes about 1.5 hours and runs at either 9:30am-11am, 11:30am-1pm or 2pm-3:30pm. About 3-4 weeks after registering you will receive confirmation of your Challenge dates.

Download and print certificates for your 20 Challengers
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File Type:	pdf

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A scoresheet if your players want to record their moves
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Download File

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How many schools can take part?

Only 200 schools are able to take part in the Chess Challenge this year. If it is a successful charity event then we will expand the number of schools for next year. This year it is first-in-best-dressed. Sorry if you are one of the schools who misses out.

We're not in Melbourne; can we take part?

Any school in Victoria may take part in this program. Schools out of metropolitan Melbourne will be required to pay a travel levy of $0.30 per km to have the Master Coach attend your school for the Challenge. This can be deducted from the amount you have collected to donate.

How do the lessons work?

After registration you will receive information in the mail which includes your password for the secure part of this website. In this secure area you will find video lessons which you can watch in your classroom, on your electronic whiteboard or on student computers. There are 10 beginner lessons and 10 advanced lessons. We recommend that your students complete 1 per week in preparation for the Challenge.

What happens on Challenge Day?

Your Chess Kids Master Coach will visit your school for 1.5 hours. The first 30-45 minutes will be an open workshop for up to 80 students. This will be a last-minute chance to learn all the strategies the Chess Kids Master Coach will be using in the Challenge to follow!

How much does a Chess Challenge cost?

Free! For the 200 schools who are helping raise money for Kids Off The Kerb there is no cost! Totally free as our way of saying thank-you for your support. Normally this session costs a school $400 (around $6.50 per student).

What age range is it suitable for?

The lessons are aimed at kids 7-14, as is the Challenge. However, if you have some exceptional kids who are younger than this it is still possible that they can get involved.

Can anyone watch the Challenge?

Absolutely yes! The Challenge is very much a spectator event, we don't even mind if there is some controlled cheering going on in the background! Chess doesn't have to be quiet. :)

Poor sportsmanship?

We certainly don't expect any bad sportsmanship or mis-behaviour. The students taking part will realise that they are being given a huge privilege and opportunity. Anyone displaying bad sportsmanship, cheating or inappropriate behaviour will be asked to leave the Challenge immediately and will forfeit any rewards they were due to receive.

Who are the Coaches?

Chess Kids provides coaching programs to over 645 schools around Australia (and also New Zealand under the Chess Power brand name) and have been doing this for 15 years. All Chess Kids coaches have Working With Children checks and are covered by $20M in public liability insurance. You will be seeing the best of these coaches come to your school for the Challenge!